Wisconsin’s public college nursing programs only take applications at set times, and every college runs on its own calendar. Miss a window and you could wait months. We track every LPN and RN program so you don’t have to.
Last checked Nov 7, 2026 · Confirm dates with the college before applying.
Open right now
- ● Open nowNorthwood Technical CollegeRegistered nursing (ADN) · Rice LakeSpring nursing applicants must finish admission by Dec 1, and fall applicants by July 7. Testing can be met by Accuplacer, ACT, HESI A2 or ATI TEAS (placement only, no minimum listed), the ATI Launch program, or a prior associate degree. The program has limited capacity and a waitlist; LPN and transfer students are admitted as space allows.See dates and apply →
- ● Open nowSouthwest Wisconsin Technical CollegeRegistered nursing (ADN) · FennimoreApplications are reviewed on set dates by residence; for fall, in-district Nov 1, other Wisconsin Jan 1, out-of-state March 1; for spring, March 1, April 1 and May 1; for summer, Aug 1, Oct 1 and Dec 1. Entrance test: ACT 20 math and 20 reading within 4 years, or TABE 13 (reading 597, language 608, math 627), plus a nursing assistant course and chemistry. If full, you go on a waitlist that carries over for Wisconsin residents.See dates and apply →
- ● Open nowBlackhawk Technical CollegeRegistered nursing (ADN) · JanesvilleApply any time to join the nursing waiting list; in-district applicants accepted by Jan 1 get priority for fall and by May 1 for spring. You must be Core Ready by Feb 1 (fall start) or July 1 (spring start), including HESI A2 scores of 75% composite, A&P, math and reading. Seats go by residency, then application date: 32 full-time and 8 part-time per semester; estimated wait 1–2 semesters.See dates and apply →
Plus 33 more open programs in the full tracker below.
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From the dean’s desk
Nursing is a very difficult but rewarding career. Most people start and end their lives under a nurse’s care. Best of luck to you as you start your journey to one of the world’s most honorable and needed careers.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Trades, Transportation & Apprenticeship
Studying for the entrance exam? Try our free TEAS practice tests. Already in school? Practice with our free NCLEX-PN practice test.
Wisconsin nursing school application tracker
| Status | College | Program | Location | Schedule | What we found | Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🟢 Open now | Northwood Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Rice Lake · Northern Wisconsin | Full-time; Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior | Spring nursing applicants must finish admission by Dec 1, and fall applicants by July 7. Testing can be met by Accuplacer, ACT, HESI A2 or ATI TEAS (placement only, no minimum listed), the ATI Launch program, or a prior associate degree. The program has limited capacity and a waitlist; LPN and transfer students are admitted as space allows. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Fennimore · Western Wisconsin | Full-time, face-to-face and online | Applications are reviewed on set dates by residence; for fall, in-district Nov 1, other Wisconsin Jan 1, out-of-state March 1; for spring, March 1, April 1 and May 1; for summer, Aug 1, Oct 1 and Dec 1. Entrance test: ACT 20 math and 20 reading within 4 years, or TABE 13 (reading 597, language 608, math 627), plus a nursing assistant course and chemistry. If full, you go on a waitlist that carries over for Wisconsin residents. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Blackhawk Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Janesville · South Central Wisconsin | Full-time or part-time; fall and spring starts | Apply any time to join the nursing waiting list; in-district applicants accepted by Jan 1 get priority for fall and by May 1 for spring. You must be Core Ready by Feb 1 (fall start) or July 1 (spring start), including HESI A2 scores of 75% composite, A&P, math and reading. Seats go by residency, then application date: 32 full-time and 8 part-time per semester; estimated wait 1–2 semesters. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Chippewa Valley Technical College | Practical nursing (LPN) | Eau Claire · Western Wisconsin | Apply any time; placement follows your original application date and time once academic preparedness is met and space is open. Requirements: HESI A2 scores of 75 or higher in A&P, math and English (or NurseHub prep courses), General A&P with C or better, and a nursing assistant course. In-district priority dates are Jan 1 (fall) and May 1 (spring). | Apply | |
| 🟢 Open now | Chippewa Valley Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Eau Claire · Western Wisconsin | Face-to-face; Eau Claire and River Falls; August and January starts | Apply any time; core seats go in order of your original application date and time once you meet academic preparedness requirements and space opens. You need HESI A2 scores of 75 or higher in A&P, math and English (or NurseHub prep courses), General A&P with C or better, Advanced A&P in progress or done, and a nursing assistant course. In-district applicants get priority if they apply by Jan 1 for fall or May 1 for spring; estimated wait 0–1 year at Eau Claire and 1–2 years at River Falls. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Gateway Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Kenosha · Southeast Wisconsin | Kenosha, Racine and Elkhorn; spring, summer and fall starts | Apply any time; seats are given by priority placement based on finishing academic preparedness, application completion date and residency. Finish requirements by the second Friday in February for summer (Feb 12, 2027), third Friday in May for fall (May 21, 2027) or second Friday in September for spring. HESI A2 composite 75% or higher (valid two years) and B- or better in General A&P; district residents who apply by Jan 1 (fall), May 1 (spring) or Oct 1 (summer) get priority. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Moraine Park Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Fond du Lac · Northeast Wisconsin | Fond du Lac, West Bend and Beaver Dam; fall and spring starts | Apply any time; your admission date becomes your waitlist date, and Core Ready students are seated by waitlist date and residency. To be Core Ready you need General A&P with B- or better and a HESI A2 composite of 70% or higher within 5 years; Advanced A&P, microbiology, developmental psychology and a CNA course may be in progress. District residents who apply by Jan 1 (fall) or May 1 (spring) get priority. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Madison Area Technical College (Madison College) | LPN to RN | Madison · South Central Wisconsin | Full-time or part-time, some evening classes; Truax, Reedsburg, Watertown | Nursing Completion LPN to ADN: Spring 2027 applications are open until Jan 15, 2027, and Fall 2027 applications (opened Oct 15, 2026) are due Aug 31, 2027. You need a current PN/VN license; after prerequisites you petition for a core seat. Fall and spring starts with 14–21 spots each; waitlist if full. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Madison Area Technical College (Madison College) | Practical nursing (LPN) | Madison · South Central Wisconsin | Full-time or part-time; Goodman South (Madison) and Fort Atkinson | Spring 2027 applications are open until Jan 15, 2027; Summer 2027 (opened Sept 15, 2026, due June 15, 2027) and Fall 2027 (opened Oct 15, 2026, due Aug 31, 2027) applications are also available. Entrance test is HESI 70% (taken at Madison College) or ACT composite 18. Core seats are awarded by petition in priority order; 32–40 fall and 16–24 spring spots. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Madison Area Technical College (Madison College) | Registered nursing (ADN) | Madison · South Central Wisconsin | Full-time or part-time; Truax (Madison), Reedsburg, Watertown | Spring 2027 pre-program applications are open until Jan 15, 2027; Fall 2027 applications opened Oct 15, 2026 and must be complete by Aug 31, 2027. After you finish prerequisites you petition for a core seat (fall petitions in April, spring in September); entrance test is HESI 75% (taken at Madison College) or ACT composite 22. Seats go by completed requirements, admit term, residency, then application date; 84–105 fall and 70–84 spring spots. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Milwaukee Area Technical College | Practical nursing (LPN) | Milwaukee · Southeast Wisconsin | Full-time, in person; Downtown Milwaukee campus | Waiting-list admission: apply any time, then finish requirements before the February (fall start) or September (spring start) review, with materials in by Jan 31 or Aug 31. TEAS minimum is 58.7%, plus MATC GPA 2.5, B- or better in A&P, and a nursing assistant course. 120 seats a year (60 fall, 60 spring); currently no wait time listed. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Milwaukee Area Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Milwaukee · Southeast Wisconsin | Full-time, in person; Downtown Milwaukee and Mequon campuses | Apply to MATC any time to join the waiting list; files are reviewed in February for fall start and September for spring start, and all requirements and TEAS scores must be in by Jan 31 (fall) or Aug 31 (spring). TEAS minimum is 65% (in person, three lifetime attempts), plus MATC GPA 2.5, B- or better in A&P 1, A&P 2 and microbiology, and a nursing assistant course. 120 seats a year (60 fall, 60 spring); estimated wait about 6 months after prerequisites. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Lakeshore College | LPN to RN | Cleveland · Northeast Wisconsin | PN to ADN Bridge uses the same waitlist: apply any time, confirm by the Feb 1 or Sept 1 email, then academic review in March or October. Order is by application date and residency. Estimated wait up to 1 year. | Apply | |
| 🟢 Open now | Lakeshore College | Practical nursing (LPN) | Cleveland · Northeast Wisconsin | Part-time evening with some Saturdays; June start | Apply any time to join the waitlist, ordered by application date and time, then residency. Confirmation goes out Feb 1, academic review is March 1–14 and seat offers start March 15 for the June start. No entrance exam listed; estimated wait up to 2 years. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Lakeshore College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Cleveland · Northeast Wisconsin | In person, Cleveland campus; fall and spring starts | Apply any time to join the waitlist; order is by completed application date and time, then residency. Confirmation emails go out Feb 1 (summer/fall) and Sept 1 (spring) and must be answered within 14 days; academic review runs March 1–14 with seat offers from March 15 (summer/fall), or Oct 1–14 with offers Oct 15 (spring). No entrance exam listed; estimated wait up to 1 year. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Fox Valley Technical College | LPN to RN | Appleton · Northeast Wisconsin | Full-time | LPN-to-ADN Pathway: apply any time with your Wisconsin or multistate LPN license and PN transcript; seats are limited each term and filled through the high-demand waitlist (opt-in windows Feb 15–Mar 6 and Aug 15–Sept 4). Meet one of: high school GPA 3.0, HESI 75%, TEAS 58.7, a prior associate degree, an LPN license with PN diploma, or ACT 18/18/20. Estimated wait is about 1 term-year after admission. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Fox Valley Technical College | Practical nursing (LPN) | Appleton · Northeast Wisconsin | Full-time | Apply any time; practical nursing is a high-demand program with a core waitlist, and admitted students opt in during set windows (Feb 15–Mar 6 for summer/fall core, Aug 15–Sept 4 for spring core). Admission requires one of: high school GPA 2.75, a prior associate degree, ACT 18 in English, math and reading, or evaluated college coursework; no TEAS listed. Waitlist priority goes by application completion date and residency; expect about a 1-year wait after your admit term. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Fox Valley Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Appleton · Northeast Wisconsin | Full-time or part-time | Apply any time; nursing is a high-demand program, so admitted students opt in to a core waitlist during set windows (Feb 15–Mar 6 for summer/fall core, Aug 15–Sept 4 for spring core). Admission requires one of: high school GPA 3.0, a prior associate degree, ACT 18 in English, math and reading, or Accuplacer 250 in all sections; no TEAS listed. Priority on the waitlist goes by application completion date and residency; expect about a 1–2 year wait after your admit term to start core courses. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Western Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | La Crosse · Western Wisconsin | Summer, fall or spring core start | Apply any time; core seats go by application date once you finish all academic preparedness requirements, including HESI A2 cumulative 75% or better, chemistry, CNA and the general education sciences. The college runs set evaluation dates (the 2026 dates were Feb 16 for summer and June 15 for fall); 2027 dates are not posted yet. Expect about 5–6 terms between admission and core courses. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Northcentral Technical College | Practical nursing (LPN) | Wausau · Central Wisconsin | Fall start | Apply any time; core admission goes by application date for Pre-Practical Nursing students who finish all requirements by the evaluation date, which begins June 1, 2027 for Fall 2027. HESI A2 minimum 70% (testing April 2–3, 2027), plus C or better in General A&P (or Body Structure & Function) and a CNA course. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Northcentral Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Wausau · Central Wisconsin | Fall and spring starts | Apply any time; core seats go by application date to students who have finished all academic preparedness requirements by an evaluation date. The Spring 2027 evaluation began Nov 1, 2026; the next is June 1, 2027 for Fall 2027. HESI A2 minimum 75% (testing April 2–3, 2027), or a 2.5 college GPA with C or better in CNA, A&P 1 and 2, microbiology and chemistry. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Waukesha County Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Pewaukee · Southeast Wisconsin | Full-time, 8-week terms; August and January starts | Apply any time (Wisconsin residents only), then finish the Core-Ready checklist: ATI TEAS 65% overall or higher, general studies courses and a nursing assistant course. Finish by the first Monday in April for priority for fall core courses (April 5, 2027) or the first Monday in October for spring. Seats are limited and held by waitlist; estimated wait 0–1 year. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Gateway Technical College | LPN to RN | Kenosha · Southeast Wisconsin | Fall and summer transition course | LPN to ADN Bridge: finish requirements by the third Friday in May for fall (May 21, 2027) or the second Friday in September for spring; no summer window. LPN to ADN entrance HESI cutoff 850 within two years, B- or better in Advanced A&P, a Wisconsin LPN license and 2,000 LPN work hours in the past five years. Placement is by preparedness, application date and residency. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Chippewa Valley Technical College | LPN to RN | Eau Claire · Western Wisconsin | Advanced placement into third semester | Nursing Advanced Placement: Wisconsin or Minnesota LPNs enter the ADN at the third semester. You need HESI A2 scores of 75 in A&P, math and English (or NurseHub), the general education courses with C or better, and Re-entry to Nursing Practice (B- or better) the semester before core. Placement is by application date as openings occur. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Gateway Technical College | Practical nursing (LPN) | Racine · Southeast Wisconsin | Elkhorn and Racine, days; full-time and part-time pathways | Apply any time; priority placement uses the same deadlines as the ADN (second Friday in February for summer, third Friday in May for fall, second Friday in September for spring). HESI A2 composite 70% or higher (valid two years), B- or better in General A&P, and a CNA course before admission. Seats go by preparedness, application date and district residency. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Mid-State Technical College | LPN to RN | Wisconsin Rapids · Central Wisconsin | Enter ADN at third semester | LPN-to-ADN Pathway: eligible LPNs enter the ADN as third-semester students as seats allow. You need a current, unencumbered Wisconsin LPN license, at least one year of LPN work, and a PN diploma or equivalent nursing courses, then bridge courses and an in-person onboarding session. No dates or entrance test are posted. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Mid-State Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Wisconsin Rapids · Central Wisconsin | Full-time, in person or hybrid; Wisconsin Rapids, Marshfield, Stevens Point Downtown; fall and spring starts | Apply any time; qualified applicants go on a waitlist in the order their application steps are completed, with Wisconsin residents first, and admissions contacts you when a seat opens. Before nursing courses you need General A&P, Advanced A&P, Developmental Psychology, English Composition 1 and a nursing assistant course. No entrance exam is listed on the program page. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Milwaukee Area Technical College | LPN to RN | Milwaukee · Southeast Wisconsin | Full-time, in person; Downtown Milwaukee and Mequon campuses | LPN to ADN Progression uses the same waiting list: reviews in February for fall start and September for spring start. You need a current Wisconsin LPN license and HESI or PN Exit Exam score of 900 or higher, MATC GPA 2.5, and B- or better in A&P 1, A&P 2 and microbiology. 24 seats a year (12 fall, 12 spring); currently no wait time. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Moraine Park Technical College | LPN to RN | Fond du Lac · Northeast Wisconsin | Full-time or part-time; Fond du Lac, West Bend, Beaver Dam | LPN to ADN Progression Track: apply any time and join the nursing waitlist. You need a current Wisconsin LPN license and at least 1,000 hours of LPN work in the last 2 years in a structured clinical setting. Students start in pre-core status and petition into core courses when ready. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Northcentral Technical College | LPN to RN | Wausau · Central Wisconsin | LPN-ADN Bridge Pathway: apply to the Nursing Associate Degree, choose the LPN option, and send your Wisconsin LPN license and an Advanced Standing Form from your prior school. After a transcript review by the Nursing Admissions Committee you may need the HESI A2 (minimum 75%) and a Return to Nursing course. No dates are posted; transfer evaluation takes 4–6 weeks. | Apply | |
| 🟢 Open now | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | LPN to RN | Green Bay · Northeast Wisconsin | Part-time, 4 semesters/16 months; Green Bay, Marinette, Sturgeon Bay | PN to ADN Bridge: apply for the term you plan to start; you need a PN program graduation and license, or current LPN employment with hands-on care. Placement by GPA 2.6 or ACT/Accuplacer. Capacity is limited and waitlist times can exceed 6 months. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Practical nursing (LPN) | Green Bay · Northeast Wisconsin | Full-time (Green Bay, Shawano, Sturgeon Bay) or part-time (Green Bay, Marinette) | No fixed window: apply, complete the checklist, then file a Program Declaration form. Placement needs a GPA of 2.6 or the ACT/Accuplacer; no entrance exam listed. Items are processed in order completed; waitlist times can be more than 6 months. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Green Bay · Northeast Wisconsin | Full-time (Green Bay, Marinette, Sturgeon Bay, Shawano) or part-time (Green Bay, fall or spring start) | No fixed window: apply for the term you want, then finish the checklist (coursework, clinical items) and file a Program Declaration form. Placement needs a high school or college GPA of 2.6 or the ACT/Accuplacer; no HESI or TEAS listed. Items are processed in the order completed, and eligible students go on a waitlist when the cohort is full. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Northwood Technical College | LPN to RN | Rice Lake · Northern Wisconsin | Enter semester 3 of the ADN; Ashland, New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior | LPN to ADN students are admitted to semester 3 as space allows; if no seat is open you go on the LPN Entrance List, ordered by the date and time you complete all criteria. You need an active LPN license, PN transcript, chemistry, and English Comp 1, both A&P courses, developmental psychology and speech with 2.0 or better. Accuplacer Next Gen placement unless waived (ACT 22 composite with math 18, or a degree). | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Northwood Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) – Part-time | Rice Lake · Northern Wisconsin | Part-time | Part-time ADN admission is first-come, first-served by the date you complete all admission requirements. Accuplacer placement (core nursing scores) is required unless waived by other test scores or a degree. No application window is posted. | Apply |
| 🟢 Open now | Southwest Wisconsin Technical College | LPN to RN | Fennimore · Western Wisconsin | Bridge course normally in June, then second-year courses | LPN to RN Bridge uses the same admission steps and residence-based review dates as the ADN, but without the TABE test. Open to Wisconsin residents and adjacent Iowa, Illinois and Minnesota counties. The bridge course normally runs in June. | Apply |
| 🔵 Dates posted | Nicolet Area Technical College | Registered nursing (ADN) | Rhinelander · Northern Wisconsin | Full-time or part-time; Spring 2027 core starts Jan 11 | The declaration window for the Spring 2027 core nursing program is Dec 1–11, 2026. Option 1: HESI A2 score of 75 or higher and 2.0 GPA (HESI offered Dec 15 and 16); Option 2: no HESI but 2.5 GPA plus Advanced A&P and microbiology; both need C or better in nursing assistant, chemistry and General A&P. Priority goes by residency and application date; seats are limited. | Apply |
| 🟠 Confirming | Blackhawk Technical College | LPN to RN | Janesville · South Central Wisconsin | Summer Bridge course, then third semester of ADN | Apply to Blackhawk by Nov 1 to be considered for the summer Bridge course, and email the full document packet to nursingap@blackhawk.edu by noon Dec 1. You need an LPN license, 1,000 hours of LPN work, TEAS proficient (65.7%), and chemistry, English and A&P with C or better. Passing the Bridge course places you into the third semester. | Apply |
| 🟠 Confirming | Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University | LPN to RN | Hayward · Northern Wisconsin | Two semesters | Licensed LPNs can finish the ADN in two semesters after prerequisites (including PSY 242, PSY 210, ENG 108, SCI 230, SCI 231 and ENG 112), but no application dates are posted. The same TEAS overall minimum of 68% applies. Selection is based on GPA, courses completed, an essay and letters of recommendation. | Apply |
| 🟠 Confirming | Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe University | Registered nursing (ADN) | Hayward · Northern Wisconsin | Four semesters | No application dates are posted for the ADN. Applicants need an ATI TEAS overall score of 68% or better, taken in person at LCO within two years, and a nursing assistant certification. Selection is based on GPA, courses completed, an essay and letters of recommendation; accepted students must finish background checks and immunizations by July 1. | Apply |
| 🟠 Confirming | Nicolet Area Technical College | LPN to RN | Rhinelander · Northern Wisconsin | Enter third semester | Wisconsin-licensed LPNs may enter the third semester after completing the first- and second-semester general education and science courses with C or better. LPN credits are held in escrow until third-semester courses are passed. No separate LPN dates are posted. | Apply |
| 🟠 Confirming | Waukesha County Technical College | LPN to RN | Pewaukee · Southeast Wisconsin | Hybrid, daytime, full-time; Fall 2027 start listed | LPN to RN Nursing Bridge: apply with a current Wisconsin LPN license and ATI TEAS 65% overall or higher; you enter the ADN at the third semester. Bridge course seats are first-come, first-served once general studies are done. Admission does not guarantee a core seat. | Apply |
Not listed: private and for-profit nursing schools, BSN-only university programs, and hospital diploma programs.
How Wisconsin nursing admissions work
- Selection varies by college. Many programs rank applicants by points (prerequisite grades, entrance test scores, healthcare experience). Others admit first-come or from a waitlist. Each card says what the college lists.
- Entrance tests vary. Wisconsin programs in this tracker use the ATI TEAS, the HESI A2 or other tests such as the ACT or Accuplacer, and some use none. Check each card above.
- Prerequisites must be done (or nearly done) by the deadline. Many colleges also want official transcripts by a set date.
- Some colleges post the same deadline every year without a year. We show the date as the college lists it. Confirm with the college before you plan around it.
- Apply to more than one. Because the windows fall at different times, you can apply to several colleges in the same year.
Tips while you wait for a window to open
- Finish anatomy and physiology, microbiology and English early. They’re the most common prerequisites.
- If your programs use the TEAS, take a practice test now so you have time to retake it before the deadline.
- Get your CNA or another healthcare job. It’s experience, and some programs award points for it.
- Attend an info session. Some colleges give points for it, and you’ll learn exactly how they rank applicants.
We built this tracker from each college’s official nursing pages. If you work at one of these colleges and see something out of date, let us know and we’ll fix it.
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